"DADDY LONG LEGS"

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3134, 12 July 1917, Page 7

"DADDY LONG LEGS"

« A CHARMING COMEDY "Daddy Long Legs," a comedy in four acts, by Jena Webster ; nd Henry Alittor. Cast— Jorvis rnndlclon Charles Wnldron James M'Brido Louis Kimball Gyrus Wykofl Arthur Cornell Abnor Parsons J. Plumpton Wilson John Cadinan Messenger Bollis Griggs J. B. North Walters J. P. Wilsou Judy Kathleno MacDonell Miss Pritclmnl Emma Temple Mrs. Pendleton Olive Wilton Julia Peudletou Audrey Worth Sallio H'Brido Clarice Hardwicke Mrs. Scrapie Maggie Moore Carrie Mat-tio Brown Mrs. Llppett Hadgo Hcrrick

ft was subsequent to her success in a play called "The- Rainbow" Ibnt Henry Miller, the American actor-manager, decided to star Miss Ruth Chatterlon. nud in order to do so without reflecting on his own judgment ho looked round for <i suitablo vehicle. Whilst looking' rcund ho chanced upon tho late Jean "Webster's curiously fascinating book, "Daddy Long Legs," and was struck with its possibilities for tho stage. On being consulted i.lie authoress thought sho could mako Judy Abbott's letters live on the stag', and with Mr. Willer's aid nid to. The play was a complete success in New Morfc, Miss Chatterton became a complete star, and tho stage world was made, tho richer by a play tho temper of which, is aa tresh and clean as a sea breeze alter rain, and "which is tinged throughout with au ineffable charm there is no tcsisting. That was tho opinion of all those- present at .tho Grand Opera Houso last' evening. Not only wero they inordinately pleased with tho stage realisation of those iiuvur*inz letters of Judy to her shadowy guardian, but they'had the privilege of gaining a footlight acquaintance w.th a striking and |at the same time wholly winning personality in that of Mis 3 Kathleno MacDono'll, who as tho truculent but tendor, boldly original but hypersensitive Judy Abbott, created an impression that will be difficult to efface. Miss MacDonell, who is a child of "Our Lady of tho Snows," is no languishing picture postcard type of stage beauty, but ie a young actress of dominating virility and emotional fervour. Her temperament is a blaze that warmed every heart in tho audience, whilst her vibrant voice and luminous intellect appealed to all minds, "Daddy Long Leg 3" is nothing much of a play if torn to pieces, but such vandalism is not to be thought of, for actually it is a couple of houraVpuro charm. Nothing offends in it; everything in good taste; there are no illogical pills to swallow, and, yet its dialogue sparkles delightfully, and .there are 1 tingling surprises all tho while, which keep tho audience in tears and laughter throughout. "Daddy Long Legs" ! is a sentimental episode, cleverly told, and very charmingly performed. .At first Judy is discovered in "blue check gingham" as an elderly inmate of the Jolid Grier Home for Orpha.DE, and there clear Miss Pritcbard, discovering a "light" in the 60ul of the red-haired . overworked girl, interests .Tervis Pendleton in her. It in in one of. her blazes, in which the dresses down the guardians of the home, that she interests the wealthy amiable Jervis, and decides him in fathering her education at college. Prom there she is to write to her unknown guardian once a week, and her letters are so captivating that, tho unknown "Daddy Long Legs'' conies to love the girl, and in a. very delightful sceno finally proposes to her, Tvith,out disclosing himself as the mysterious unknown. Judy refuses in the-(ear that he would discover her Jack of a family tree, and Jervia imagines it to he for a very different reason. Finally,'■ however, tho l f ate3 prove kind, there are revelations that should not be revealed in detail here, and happiness. Perhaps enough lias been said of tbe flawless performance of Miss MacDonell. Tho standard she set was maintained by a company qf exceptional A' cordial welcome was accorded Mr. Chns. ■Waldron (hero years ago with "Tho Squaw Man" and "The Virginian"), who invested the character of 'Jervis Pendleton with much personal charm. His performance was that of a niaturod and polished English actor, a rare quality in an American. Mi\ Louis Kimball sparkled in,his own "bright staccato way as James M'Brido; Mr. Arthur Cornell was properly loud and bumptious as the talkative trustee, Cyrus Wykofl; and Messrs.i,.T. ,B. North and J. P. Wilson were capital in minor roles. Miss Emma Temple "(whoso appearances are always welcome) 1 has a sympathetic role in Miss Pritehard, which fits hor like a. glove, and Miss Maggio Moore as the homoly Mrs. Semplo (of Lock Willow Farm) was a treasure of strength to tho comedy of tho third act. i Miss Madge Herrick made Mrs. Lippett a fearsome matron of tho home, and bright' chatter eomc.i agreeably from Miss Clarico Hardwiclie and Miss Audrey North as tho flappercsuqe Sallio M'Bride and Julia Pendleton respectively. Tho comedy is charmingly staged in four, interior scenes. "Daddy Long Legs" will ho played until further notice, including a matinee performance on Saturday' afternoon.